JainLink.org March 09 Newsletter (click here to view with photos)JainLink is an on-line Jain community developed in
collaboration with JAINA, Jain Centers, and YJA.

Over the past few months, two more temples were inaugurated. To date we
have over 50 temples in North America and expanding. In addition to physical
structures, we also have “virtual temples” on-line. For example,
www.jainworld.org gets 100,000 visitors per day! www.jainlink.org is another one which focuses on on-line
secure community for Jains. It would be wise for us to treat both brick
and mortar and marble temples as well as on-line based Jain sites as a place
where we can learn, meditate, meet, and strengthen our faith. Editor: Yogendra Jain, JAINA/Long Range Planning Committee.

Event: Mahavir Jayanti - Tuesday April 7th, 2009 - Celebrate it!

Did You Update Your On-Line Profile on www.JainLink.org? Over 400 new members have
registered in the last three weeks and have updated their profile.
Welcome. If you have not updated your profile, please register
on-line. Your profile is confidential and will be used in updating the
next North America Jain Directory.

In partnership with the Council for a Parliament of the World’s
Religions, Chicago (CPWR) is preparing for a pre-Parliament interfaith
event.Dipak
Jain, dean of the prestigious Kellogg School of Management at
Northwestern University, will be a featured speaker. Dr. Hema
Pokharna, member of JSMC and a trustee on the board of CPWR
and Play for Peace has organized this event and has been the
inspiration behind this Prepare for Peace Program. For more information
contact Dr. Hema Pokharna, at 773-368-1656, or email her at
hemapokharna.phd@gmail.com. Click here for more information.

Free JAINA Calendar: Did you receive the
famous JAINA Calendar in mail? If not or if you would like to get one more for
your kids in college or relatives, please contact Chairman of JAINA Calendar
and Mini Library Committee at rajeevpandya@ashidiamonds.com.

YJA Board Meets in Boston to Strategize
and Plan for Next Two Years: Seeing 15 Jain youths
around a table with their computers propped up in intense discussions is
serious business. This was the scene in Boston over the MLK long weekend.
They discussed short and long range goals and plans for YJA.
Specifically, how to manage and keep interest of their membership,
what events and activities to have locally and centrally, and how to raise
funds. They also met with Jainlink coordinators and agreed to use
Jainlink to manage their on-line membership. Ask your children to actively
participate in this fine tuned organization. Visit www.yja.org.

Jain Milan in NY - April 10th, 11th & 12th,
2009.3-day
Matrimonial / Networking Convention
As any young Jain or their parents will attest, it is not easy to find a life
partner. Jain Milan is a unique opportunity to meet with your future
spouse. This may appear quite awkward but it is no different than
internet dating, speed dating, having a friend introduce you to another friend
or your family introducing you to someone. Visit www.jainmilan.org or
call Gunvant Shah, Chairman, Jain Milan at 732-246-4030, profgaryshah@yahoo.com.

JAINA Convention on July 2-5, 2009 in
Anaheim, CAOne of the greatest
events for Jains worldwide is the JAINA Convention. If you have not been
to these in the past where as many as 6000 Jains attend, then you are missing an
incredible event. Your children will be awed by meeting 100’s of other
kids their same age sharing the same values. Young families will find
many sessions which will strengthen their faith and knowledge in Jainism and
help them raise their kids with a strong JWOL (Jain Way of Life) foundation.
There are activities for people of all ages. In India you would stretch
to get their glimpse of great Jain scholars and monks. However, here at
the convention you can have one on one discussions with them. It’s not
all serious stuff. The convention evenings are highly entertaining.
You can save $100 per member by registering early (visit www.jaina.org)

JWOL (Jain Way of Life) Hints - Living Healthy
and Green(by Amit
Jain, past YJA co-chair)- Food – Use organic, locally grown foods to provide to your
party-goers. Organic foods contain no GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms).
Little is known about the long-term effects of eating GMO’s but there is
some concern considering that their existence is NOT natural. Buying
locally for a Certified Farmer’s Market not only enhances the local economy but
it also reduces the amount of energy to produce, transport and sell produce.
- Eco-friendly Party and Jain
Center Function Supplies – Do not buy Styrofoam!! Styrofoam is
virtually indestructible. Even though it is made largely of air, it does not
biodegrade. A piece of Styrofoam is used once and then lies dormant in a
landfill forever. Make sure to use biodegradable plates, cups, napkins and
utensils. There are many alternatives you can find such as corn-based plastics.
- Lights Out – In order
to really show a commitment to Green, one must commit to reduction in
consumption in all facets. One way to do that at a party to is to use as little
energy as possible. Try hosting your party under candlelight. Not only
does it create a fun and intimate experience, but it reduces your energy
consumption. Eliminating all other distractions such as much and television
drives the focus towards human interaction and a much greater partyJainLink is an on-line Jain community developed in
collaboration with JAINA, Jain Centers, and YJA.

When Someone asks you "What is Jainism" (The Elevator Pitch!)For thousands of years,
Jains have been practicing vegetarianism, yoga, meditation, and
environmentalism. Jains have three core practices: Non-Violence,
Non-Absolutism, and Non-Possessiveness (Ahimsa, Anekantvad, and Aparigraha - AAA).Non-Violence is compassion and forgiveness in thoughts,
words, and deeds towards all living beings. For this reason, Jains
are vegetarians. Non-
Absolutism is respecting views of others. Jains
encourage dialog and harmony with other faiths.Non-Possessiveness is the balancing of needs and desires,
while staying detached from our possessions.Jains
believe in the existence of a Soul - in each living being - which is
eternal and divine.
JAIN WAY OF LIFE (JWOL) respects and honors all living beings through the
practice of
Non-Violence, Non-Absolutism, and Non-Possessiveness. We are all interdependent
and, by living a JAIN WAY OF LIFE (JWOL), we can bring peaceand spirituality to our lives and to those
around us. [more]

If you would like to volunteer your time for Jain projects, please contact us at info@JainLink.org

Please forward this newsletter to your friends and family For more information: info@JainLink.org